Tides taps Stanford’s social innovation pioneer as new CEO

Stanford’s executive director for the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) is moving to a new role. Beginning February, Kriss Deiglmeier will become the CEO of Tides.

Deiglmeier was hired in 2004 as the first executive director of the CSI, which was founded in 1999 and operates programs in the academic field, including quarterly magazine Stanford Social Innovation Review and social innovation fellowships to MBA students, to support social change. She now moves to an organization with a longer history.

For over 40 years, Tides has been supporting individuals and organizations through grantmaking, consultancy, advocacy, fiscal sponsorship, and management and administrative services to build a society based on respect for human rights, shared economic opportunity, sustainable environmental practices, vibrant communities, and diversity.

“Tides has often been called the original social innovator of contemporary times so it is exciting to consider what Kriss Deiglmeier will add to make Tides stronger and better for the future,” said Stephanie Clohesy, current Chair of Tides Network. “Tides is a platform full of possibility that will grow with new leadership.”

Since August last year, Tides has been on an active search to fill the CEO slot. Deiglmeier will replace interim CEO Gary Schwartz, who joined Tides in 1999 and led the nonprofit over the past ten months when then-CEO Melissa Bradley stepped down in April.

Bradley founded her own impact investing intermediary called New Capitalist. Before that she was Tides CEO for over two years, replacing Drummond Pike, who founded Tides in 1976 and served as CEO until November 2010. After 34 years of leadership, Pike went to work at private equity impact investing firm Equilibrium Capital as principal.

Deiglmeier enters at a good time. Although it has been a transitional year, Schwartz said that it was one of the strongest donor contribution years ever at Tides. When Deiglmeier officially starts as CEO on February 19, Schwartz will return to his role as senior vice president and senior advisor to the CEO.

“Kriss brings a remarkable background from her many years in the social innovation field, and we are looking forward to welcoming her,” said Schwartz.

“My vision for Tides is a reinvigorated and innovative platform that sees trends as they are being created, and in doing so, actively leads the progressive agenda for the 21st Century,” said Deiglmeier.

“By working collaboratively with existing and new partners, opening up to emerging business models and strengthening its core assets, Tides will continue to lead in creating a more just, sustainable, and healthy environment where human rights are preserved.”

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